Kitchen and Bath Blab | Modern Supply’s Kitchen, Bath & Lighting Trends

Kitchen Island Trends

May 14, 2012 at 10:36 am

Kitchens are the hub of the home and are used for more than preparing meals. Areas for doing homework, electronic docking stations and desk space are often included. Even when entertaining, everyone seems to congregate in the kitchen.

Island by KraftMaid with prep sink, recycle center, shelving, drawers, cabinet & wine storage.

The design trend is open, airy kitchens that are an extension of the living area. Islands are hot and offer a multitude of functionality. Think of how you use your kitchen and what you need to maximize. Do you need a breakfast area, a large cooking space, a second prep sink or just additional storage? It all can be incorporated in an island!

Have idea? We can draw it!

The kitchen island is a centerpiece and should stand out. The countertop, base cabinetry and hardware can be different from the rest of the cabinetry but should coordinate. What a great place to add a bold pop of color and a striking lighting fixture!

Armstrong Cabinets maximize space with this island backed with seating.

Island design elements are endless! From small and simple to large and multi-faceted, choose from features like pull-out storage, shelving, glass doors, decorative posts, corbels & legs, and wine storage. Cook tops, dishwashers, wine coolers and prep sinks are often installed in the island area. Don’t forget to add electrical outlets!

Multi-tiered island adds interest from Armstrong Cabinets.

When thinking about designing your island, space guidelines from the National Kitchen and Bath Association recommends at least 42 inches of aisle space surrounding an island, and 48 inches if there are multiple cooks. Counter heights are 36 inches and breakfast bar height is typically 40 to 42 inches.

A bold statement in mixing finishes from KraftMaid.

Are you ready to get started on your island project? Stop by Modern Supply and look at their kitchen displays for inspiration. Design consultants are ready to help you create your dream island.

865.966.4567 • Locations

From StarMark Cabinetry, a non-standard shape with decorative corbels.

A small island is perfect for this cottage kitchen by StarMark.

Armstrong Cabinets • KraftMaid • StarMark Cabinetry

Tagged ArmStrong Cabinets, Kitchen island design, kitchen island trends, kitchen islands, KraftMaid Cabinets, Modern Supply kitchen bath showroom, StarMark Cabinets | Leave a comment

Bathroom Furniture Trends

April 23, 2012 at 3:38 pm

Bathrooms today are as stylish as the rest of a home. From ginormous master baths to small powder rooms, there are oodles of chic and stylish options for every budget.

Design for your space with semi-custom cabinetry from KraftMaid.

The custom cabinetry folks provide the widest choices in size, wood, finishes and cool storage features. Pull-outs designed specifically for hair dryers, curling irons and make-up is a diva dream! Snazzy touches like crown molding, glass doors, decorative cabinetry legs and specialty towel cubes add a timeless touch. The sky’s the limit on customizing!

Hide bathroom clutter with storage options from Starmark Cabinetry.

Vanities and matching bath furnishings are hot, hot, hot! Available in pre-determined sizes, these spa-like pieces create an uncluttered, streamlined look. They’re ideal for a powder room! There’s flexibility in sink choices too—a one piece countertop with an integrated sink or a jazzy vessel sink can complete the look. Towel towers, wall cabinets and mirrors add extra storage and are super cute.

My stars! Did you ever think medicine cabinets would make a come-back? They’re not just an old, squeaky metal cabinet anymore. Stunning wooden medicine and overjohn cabinets complement vanities and provide extra storage. A fab piece for a small area!

Wall hung vanities & matching mirrors from American Standard's Tropic collection.

Take your bathroom from drab to glam! Drop by Modern Supply and let our top-notch designers show you what dream baths are made of.

Stunning double vanity & matching mirror from Ronbow.

American Standard's Cambridge vessel sink vanity.

Add a splash of color with this Yosemite vanity.

Traditional style vanity & matching cabinet from Ronbow

Tagged American Standard, bathroom furniture trends, custom cabinetry, KraftMaid, medicine cabinets, modern supply, Ronbow, StarMark Cabinets, vanities | Leave a comment

All that’s old can be new again

April 9, 2012 at 10:04 am

Before & after photos of a bathroom remodel

There are lots of old things we’re fond of: old friends, old movies, old songs. But old bathrooms? Not so much.

Mostly, old bathrooms are ugly to look at and downright inconvenient—especially when compared to the many gorgeous designs and state-of-the-art cabinets, vanities, and fixtures available at Modern Supply, just off Lovell Road.

You may live in a mid-century subdivision home, a turn-of-the century Victorian or even an older structure whose charm and character you want to preserve, but here’s betting that sense of historic preservation doesn’t apply to the bathrooms.

Before: 70's style vanity, mirror & hardware

After: Stylish vanity in neutral color palette

In a recent remodel of a local 70’s bathroom, Modern Supply design consultant, Sherry Williams, helped the homeowner select products to transform a small master bath into an updated and more efficient space. Starting with a neutral palette, an Armstrong cabinet, with ample storage, was selected and topped with a cultured marble sink and counter top.

Delta's Linden faucet in Venetian Bronze

Delta’s Linden faucet in Venetian bronze complements the marble counter top and is an environmentally-friendly WaterSense labeled product. Towel bars and a tissue holder from Liberty Hardware are finished in oil rubbed bronze and coordinate with the faucet. A pretty vanity light from Minka-Lavery was hung over the stylish round mirror.

The owners choose to replace the tub with a large tiled shower complete with bench and shelves—a better choice for the home owner’s lifestyle. A Basco glass shower door keeps the small space open and airy and features a towel bar.

Before: beige tile with a pinkish tone

A Delta integrated showerhead and detachable handshower feature In2ition technology. The In2ition shower features a detachable handshower, which can run separately from or simultaneously with the showerhead, giving the flexibility of two streams of water at once. In addition, the In2ition has a pause function reducing water to a trickle. This is a great way to conserve water while you’re lathering up or shaving your legs!

AFter: A spacious tiled shower

A new comfort height elongated toilet was installed. It featured a powerful but quiet 1.6 gallons per flush performance which is a considerable water-savings over the old model.

Delta's Linden hand-held showerhead with In2ition technology

From updating a showerhead to a full bath renovation, Modern Supply can help you with an array of water-saving plumbing, vanities, sinks and accessories that can make your bathroom sparkle! Check ‘em out! www.modernsupplyshowroom.com

Tagged 70's bath, ArmStrong Cabinets, Basco shower door, bathroom remodel, before & after bath photos, Delta handshower, Delta Linden faucet, modern supply | Leave a comment

Spring Maintenance Tips for Your AC

April 3, 2012 at 11:00 am

Spring has sprung, the grass is riz….remember that childhood poem? Spring is my fav time of the year. Everything is coming alive – fresh & new – and a needed dose of natural vitamin D!

Knoxville, TN ranks #1 as the U.S. allergy capital.

As much as I love spring, it brings a lot of sneezin’ and wheezin’. My home, Knoxville, Tennessee, is ranked the number one most challenging city to live in if you have allergies according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation’s 2012 ranking. Red, itchy eyes are not becoming to a fashionista.

My heating and air peeps at Modern Supply have a suggestion on fighting pollen and improving overall home air quality. Changing your HVAC air filters is a must-do! They should be changed every month. A dirty filter makes your system work harder and can potentially cause system problems. Yikes, air conditioner don’t fail me now!

Spring maintence for your air system helps to prevent break-downs.

Here’s a shocking statistic. EPA studies show that even in the smoggiest cities, the air inside most homes is usually at least ten times more polluted than the air outside. OMG how can this be?!

Energy efficient homes today are built as air-tight as possible. Super-duper for lower energy costs but traps airborne pollutants and bad guys such viruses, dust, dust mites, mold and mildew. These nasties are killin’ me!

Time to bring in the big guns!

Rheem, residential & commercial heating & air experts.

There’s lotsa help to clear the air! Rheem Team germ fighters offer a line of indoor air quality products. It’s a dizzying list of stuff that can be added when installing or updating a Rheem system or other brands.

So don’t let your mascara run this season. Contact a Rheem contractor to do a spring air conditioning inspection and ask how to best improve your air quality. Don’t know one? You can find one through Rheem’s dealer locator.

And tell them….Millie sent you!

Tagged air conditioning inspection, change air filters, Knoxville, lower energy costs, modern supply, Rheem, Rheem contractor, TN | Leave a comment

Toilet Tips for Updating

March 13, 2012 at 4:38 pm

Buying a toilet isn’t as much fun as buying sassy spring sandals but a necessity! There’s more to know about toilets than meets the…well, you get it. Find the right flush for your bathroom with my toilet tips.

The Porcher Archive 1-piece toilet is pretty & WaterSense labeled. Porcher is an American Standard brand.

A one piece toilet is sleeker, easier to clean and has fewer places for yuck to live. Two piece toilets are economical, easy to install and the bowl or tank can be replaced.

Toilet height is measured from floor to rim. Standard is 14-inches; chair height is 16 to 17-inches and ADA compliant. There’s even a 10-inch model perfect for potty training.

Round, compact elongated or elongated…oh my! Small powder rooms may only have space for a round or compact model that extends about 27 ½-inches. Elongated are the most popular extending 29 ½-inches.

American Standard H2Option Dual Flush Right Height Elongated

American Standard Dual Flush, Right Height, Elongated

The EPA WaterSense folks say older toilets use 3.5 to 7 gallons per flush (gpf). Geez! That’s a lot! The government says the max flush can’t be more than 1.6 gpf. A WaterSense labeled toilet uses 1.28 gpf and can save a family of four more than $90 a year on their water bill. There’s also a dual flusher with a partial and full flush that uses as little as 1.0 gpf.

American Standard H2Option Dual Flush buttons

Other stuff that divas typically don’t care about…The flush valve is inside the tank. A large opening allows the water to pass through faster for a quick flush. Valve sizes are 2-inch, 3-inch or the mack-daddy, 4-inch. Next, the toilet outlet is the gateway to the sewer and bigger is better. Sizes include: 2-inch, 2 1/8-inch and 2 3/8-inch.

If toilet trivia has your brain spinnin’, drop by a Modern Supply kitchen and bath showroom and talk toilets with my plumbing peeps and…

American Standard Champion 4 Right Height, Elongated

American Standard Champion 4 with a 2 3/8” trapway & 4” flush valve virtually eliminates clogs.

Tell ‘em Millie sent you!

Titan Pro Right Height Elongated Triangle Toilet

A potty for every space!

See American Standard’s Champion 4 in action.
This bad-boy potty is truly a super flusher!

Tagged American Standard, Champion 4, dual flush toilet, Modern Supply kitchen bath showroom, Right height toilet, Toilet height, Toilet tips, WaterSense | Leave a comment

Affordable Bathroom Updates

February 15, 2012 at 11:05 am

Ah…Valentine’s Day; the month of love. It’s also a great time to treat yourself. After all, who better deserves it than you? If you’re dreamin’ of a lavish spa-like bathroom but the budget doesn’t jive with your vision, a few budget-friendly updates can do wonders!

Delta bath accessories & matching faucet

Matching accessories & faucet from Delta.

Accessories in dated finishes, like the 80’s shiny gold brass, can date a room. Replacing tissue holders, towel bars, soap dispensers and even robe hooks can bring your room back into the current decade. Oodles of choices often coordinating with stylin’ new faucets which probably need replacing too!

KraftMaid Shaker style cabinets with contemporary hardware.

Cabinetry hardware can date cabinets faster than an eighties hairdo! Super easy to replace and can totally change the look of the room. Presto! From traditional to contemporary, in a flash! Don’t be afraid to mix styles for an eclectic look.

A Mr. Steam towel warmer adds a spa-like touch.

OMG! How awesome is it to have a warm towel to wrap up in after a bath? Wall mounted and freestanding floor towel warmers are available with cords so you don’t have to deal with electrical changes. Some come with an aromatherapy oil well. Ohh-la-la…such indulgence!

Updating vanity lights & mirrors can give your bath a fresh look.

Nothing screams OUTDATED faster that than an old vanity light bar and glued-on mirrors. Replacing these will dramatically change the look of your bathroom. There are sooo many gorgeous vanity lights available that won’t break the bank! And mirrors that add pizazz…in all shapes, colors and sizes. You might consider a mirrored medicine cabinet. They’ve come a long way, baby!

Goodness, so many choices…so little time! Stop by Modern Supply’s showroom and see tons of great ways to spruce up your bath and…

Tell ‘em Millie sent you!

Tagged bathroom accessories, bathroom updates, cabinetry hardware, Delta, KraftMaid, modern supply, Mr. Steam, spa bathroom, towel warmers, vanity lights | Leave a comment

Adding the Extra Pizazz to Cabinetry!

January 23, 2012 at 4:44 pm

Mix wood, finishes, door styles & hardward for a unique look.

Selecting new cabinetry is exciting but can leave you in a tizzy. You’ve sorted through all of the wood and door styles, finishes, glazes, and storage options but there’s more! Here are ideas to really add that extra pizazz!

Doors: They’re not just wood anymore! I love mixing wooden and glass doors. Glass brightens and makes a space appear larger. Back-light for a major WOW factor! Loads of glass options in textured, etched and patterned. Get really inventive using cut glass and zinc caming—similar to stained glass.

StarMark corner cabinet with metal doors is great use of space.

Another artsy door has wooden mullion strips to divide the glass areas forming a design. Doors with woven metal inserts create a classy or even a shabby chic look. Contemporary aluminum framing with glass might be totally you! Whew!

Hardware: Changing knobs and pulls is easy, affordable and will totally change the look of cabinets. Don’t be afraid to mix ‘n match. Go for it!

KraftMaid door using zinc caming & decorative glass.

Decorative enhancements: Endless possibilities! Crown, light rail and baseboard molding conveys a finished look. Adding legs gives the appearance of fine furniture. Attaching spindles at the end of a peninsula, allows for a countertop extension. Corbels and onlays are great embellishments for an upscale detailed look.

Changing hardware is an easy cabinet update.

Just want to update? New doors, hardware and lighting will breathe life into an old cabinet. It’s hot to mix finishes. Wood stains and paint finishes are fab together. Be eclectic!

Oh my, the choices just keep coming! This is a smidge of what my Modern Supply design peeps use to create snazzy, jazzy kitchens…or baths…laundry rooms…or office/entertainment areas. Come on in and…

Tell ‘em Millie sent you!

Tons of storage options like this StarMark pantry.

A cabinet door with wire mesh creates homey feel.

This KraftMaid tulip leg gives cabinetry a fine furniture feel.

This KraftMaid onlay & crown add a decorative touch.

Glass doors with lighting, spindle legs, decorative fillers, onlays & corbels - this KraftMaid kitchen has it all!

Tagged Cabinet hardware, Glass cabinet doors, KraftMaid Cabinets, modern supply, mullion doors, Pantry storage, StarMark Cabinets, Zinc caming doors | 4 Comments

Modern Supply Named Supply House Times Wholesaler of the Year

January 16, 2012 at 4:37 pm

Knoxville, Tennessee, Jan. 16, 2012 — Modern Supply Company, a kitchen, bath, lighting and HVAC distributor, has been selected as the Supply House Times 2011 Wholesaler of the Year. The decision was based on Modern Supply’s willingness and ability to change along with its continued active involvement in the industry and community. Supply House Times is the official publication of the American Supply Association (ASA) serving wholesalers, distributors and manufacturers representatives.

: Modern Supply’s CEO Pace Robinson & President/COO Dottie Ramsey

Modern Supply, a 62 year old Knoxville-based company, was established to serve the building, electrical, plumbing and HVAC contractor markets. To help endure the changing economy and downturn in the new housing market, Modern Supply expanded its focus on the retail consumer market through innovative marketing initiatives, streamlined internal processes, greater customer service and inventory control.

“To be recognized in our industry and among our peers as Wholesaler of the Year is an honor,” Pace Robinson, CEO says. “It’s also a testament in the dedication of our staff to work harder in a down economy in order to retain customers by providing the best product expertise and service possible.”

Bob Miodonski, Supply House Times Plumbing Group Brand Leader comments, “We wanted to showcase a company that is a good industry citizen, a company that’s ‘of the moment’ and that has made noteworthy achievements in 2011. Modern Supply’s business strategies and its outside-the-box thinking fit our Wholesaler of the Year criteria. Incorporating Modern’s Millie, a fictional character and spokesperson, in its marketing efforts has broadened Moderns Supply’s appeal to both its trade customers and retail consumers—particularly women. We hope other wholesalers in our industry learn from Modern Supply’s innovative approach.”

“Our mantra is ‘take care of business, take care of people’,” adds Dottie Ramsey, Modern Supply President and COO. “This is what we expect our employees to demonstrate every day and why we’ve been around for 62 years and still going strong.”

View the Supply House Times article: 2011 Wholesaler of the Year.

For updates – including product news and current trends – website, www.modernsupplyshowroom.com, as well as YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.

Tagged 2011 Wholesaler of the Year, CEO, Dottie Ramsey, modern supply, Modern's Millie, Pace Robinson, President/COO, Supply House Times | Leave a comment

A Place to Call Home

January 9, 2012 at 3:14 pm

Modern Supply helps homeowner with log home kitchen remodeling project

Colonel Andy Jordan and wife Debbie have traveled the world and lived in places many of us only dream of. After a long and successful Army career, the Jordan’s began to think about retirement and where to settle down and call home. An East Tennessee native, Colonel Jordan was drawn back to the Knoxville area with its natural beauty and easy lifestyle and Debbie fully agreed.

Before: the log home kitchen with dated appliances & a narrow island.

After living in military housing, Debbie was thrilled to purchase a house that she could decorate in their style. A log house surrounded by woods was the ideal setting to call home. Commuting to oversee the project was going to be time consuming, but let the kitchen renovations begin!

After: Updated with new cabinetry, expanded island & new appliances

The top priority was updating the kitchen. The plan was to replace the dated appliances and relocate the sink and cooktop, keeping the cabinetry. After consulting with their contractor, they realized that repairs would be difficult and patch-work, and new cabinetry was the best way to go.

Cabinets with LED lights brighten the corner.

Debbie visited Modern Supply and sales manager-designer Debbie Johnson helped her select products that complemented the coziness of a log home and Jordans’ tastes. “I didn’t have a look in mind, but after Debbie’s visit to measure she made great recommendations,” comments Jordan.

Blanco granite sink in truffle

Mixing maple cabinetry finishes and quartz countertop colors created visual interest while complimenting each other. The primary cabinet finish was called sand with a brushed grey glaze, paired with Cambria’s Devon countertop and a Blanco sink in truffle. The island was a stone finish with grey glaze, Cambria’s Yorkshire top, and a Blanco prep sink in biscotti. Stainless faucets from Brizo’s Talo collection were selected for their water-saving SmartTouch® Technology.

A Blanco granite prep sink in biscotti & Brizo Talo SmartTouch faucet.

Little extras go a long way in highlighting the beauty of the cabinetry. Glass doors with LED light ribbon running along the inside brighten up the corner. Crown molding and light rail were added to complete the look.

Debbie selected stainless appliances and the double oven she always wanted. The sink and cooktop locations were switched in the redesign. The sink was installed below the window and the stovetop relocated to the enlarged island space. The island was already plumbed, making it perfect for a prep sink.

A different door style was selected for the island.

A corner nook was utilized by including a beverage cooler, TV, storage and a display cabinet with lighting. A perfect fit!

“It’s hard to visualize from samples, and how they’re all going to work together,” Debbie notes. “I’m thrilled at the results and wouldn’t do anything differently. I appreciate the suggestions and help from my contractor and Modern Supply. In a few months, we’ll be here full time and have a permanent home.”

After: The corner converted to a beverage area.

Before: Corner nook with desk

Tagged Blanco sink, brizo Talo faucet, Cambria quartz countertop, kitchen remodel, log home kitchen, maple cabinetry, modern supply | Leave a comment

From Condemned to Restored

December 19, 2011 at 10:47 am

Modern Supply help owners to bring a historic home back to life.

It takes passion to oversee a condemned, partially burnt house transformed back into a work of art. That’s what drove five neighbors including Lauren Rider, Lawrence Eaton and Ernie Roberts to purchase and restore an 1895 Queen Anne cottage in Historic Old North Knoxville.

Historic Queen Anne cottage condemned

The partners were not renovation rookies as all had tackled their own homes. They formed Old North Restorations, LLC and purchased a blighted property at 1417 Cornelia Street known as the Cornelia Project.

In 2010, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported on the problems of blighted homes in Knoxville of which the Cornelia property was featured. A follow up story on the Cornelia purchase and renovation caught the attention of a national cable home improvement channel. The whirlwind escalated as renovation filming began.

The Cornelia historic home renovation complete

Modern Supply was contacted about helping with kitchen and bath products. “We’re excited to be a part of the Cornelia Project,” states Pace Robinson, Modern Supply CEO. “It’s great to see people taking action in their community and preserving a piece of history.”

Working with Lauren and team, Armstrong Cabinetry was selected for the kitchen. Debbie Johnson, Modern Supply Sales Manager, refined the kitchen design adding an island, two glass doors and varied cabinet heights for an upscale look.

Armstrong cabinets in expresso, Armstrong knobs & pulls, granite tops & dazzling pendant showcase the kitchen.

“Selecting kitchen cabinetry was a major decision with several parameters to work around,” explains Rider. “We wanted to maintain the period of the house but add a contemporary touch. Of course, budget was a consideration as well as the delivery time. Debbie made suggestions, improved our design and included an island which was a plus.”

Deciding on lighting, plumbing and a water heater from American Water Heater was next. To save time and maximize budget, the Cornelia owners chose in-stock lighting and plumbing fixtures or selected items that could meet their delivery dates. Adding another twist, the Cornelia team elected to pursue LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and EnergyStar certified construction meaning aspects of the house must be energy efficient and sustainable.

The dining room chandelier complements the kitchen pendant.

Modern Supply and the HVAC contractor worked together to provide a RHEEM heating and cooling system that met LEED specifications.

After months of dirty, hard work and sleepless nights, the project is coming to an end. You can almost see the house smile knowing that it’s loved again. The house is under contract and nearing completion. Ask if they would do it again, Rider replies, “Probably.”

The upstairs bath features WaterSense American Standard toilet & Delta fixtures.

Mud room cabinetry has cubbies for shoes & mail.

Stained glass adds charm to the historical door's transom.

Tagged ArmStrong Cabinets, Condemned Renovation, Cornelia project, kitchen remodel, modern supply, WaterSense | Leave a comment

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